Palms drying out...yellowing

[905palms]

Curious, my palms (Pindo and Sabal Palmetto) were nice and green when I uncovered them in early April, now they've all browned out and seems to be in decline. In the ground for 3 years.

Yes there was some cold snaps and winds, but seems they've been through worse. Spears are green, but still seem like they were freeze dried. I fertilized then watered.. seemed to get worse. Has this happened to anyone else? Can they recover? thx

[Brad Mondel]

What were they covered with?

[905palms]

Wrapped with general frost cloth that I use on all the plants, then enclosed in a styrofoam box. Never went below 20F.. the spear was also wrapped.

The soil is excessively wet, and we've had a very cold rainy spells first week of April. Perhaps she's feeling the effects of that one episode.

[Alicehunter2000]

Wet and cold not really a good combo for either of these palms....does your soil drain good...sandy?

[905palms]

I've had added a lot of sand to the clay soil, and included some peat moss... However I took a soil sample and was able to ring out some water still.

Perhaps I should dig it up and add gravel underneath... Or let it ride out...

[smithgn]

Sorry to see this, Dan. There's still hope! Sometimes, well... every year mine has been in ground, it basically goes through an awkward phase early in the spring due to the wet, warm and cold bipolar weather. A few dried out looking spears but they eventually shrug it off and grow another one that's healthy. Hopefully this is what happens for you.

Edited May 6, 2015 by smithgn

[PalmatierMeg]

Treat them with hydrogen peroxide

[Brad Mondel]

Did the spears pull when you tugged them? If they do treat it with hydrogen peroxide 3x a week. Pour it straight down into the apical meristem.

[905palms]

Thanks fellas, the spear is solid. I have treated it with H2O2 one time a few weeks ago, then a shot of copper... I hope it's not suffering from Toxicity from the copper.

Smithgn, thanks, that's reassuring, I believe she may be fighting it off, whatever 'it' is. My large Pindo in the front is spotless, using the same method.

Perhaps I'm over thinking it.

I will send follow up pics and keep you posted.

[Alicehunter2000]

Personally I would ride it out....any disturbance created by digging up would probably be the death of either of these....but especially the Sabal. Both species should be able to tolorate poor draining clayish soil as long as temps don't get too cold and wet. Sabal really needsheat to grow.

Since you have amended your soil ..... have you taken something like the handle of a shovel or large stick and pushed forcefully down around the base of the wet soil. You may have developed air pockets around your rootball.....this will cause your palm to dry out and decline rapidly. ..much the way you are describing.

[905palms]

Thanks David, luckily it hasn't rained in over a week, so everything is drying out on the surface. I checked again this morning and spear is green, but seems to want to follow the same as the newer drying out fronds that have emerged. I will wait it out nonetheless.... and follow up with more pics in a week or so.

[smithgn]

Dan, how have your pindos been doing so far this spring?

[Josh76]

What are your temps like Dan? I think some palms struggle to move nutrients around when temps are low causing temporary yellowing. Once temps (including overnight lows) climb back up, the yellowing reverses. Could that be happening here?